Colorado at a Glance

CDPHE’s Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division licenses and inspects Colorado nursing facilities.

• Licenses and inspects Colorado nursing facilities
• Investigates complaints — report line 1-800-886-7689
• Resident rights appear in C.R.S. § 25-1-120

Visit the state agency site →

Families can speak with a Colorado nursing home lawyer to understand if rights may have been violated.

Colorado resident rights include:

• Right to civil and religious liberties and independent personal decisions
• Right to private and unrestricted communication with anyone they choose
• Right to present grievances — including to government officials — without fear of reprisal
• Right to manage their own finances or receive quarterly accountings
• Right to be fully informed in writing of services and charges
• Right to be informed of their medical condition and participate in treatment planning
• Right to refuse medication and treatment and to know the consequences
• Right to adequate, appropriate health care meeting recognized community standards
• Right to privacy in treatment, confidential records, and secure personal possessions
• Right to courteous, fair treatment with the fullest measure of dignity
• Right to be free from mental and physical abuse and from physical and chemical restraints
• Right to be transferred or discharged only for medical, welfare, or nonpayment reasons, with notice
• Right to freedom of choice in selecting a health-care facility
• Right to a formal facility grievance process, with appeal to the state health department

Source: C.R.S. § 25-1-120 (Nursing facilities — rights of patients)

Phone: 303-862-3524
Website: https://www.coombudsman.org/

Learn more about nursing home ombudsmen →

If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. To report nursing home abuse or neglect in Colorado, contact the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Families can:

• File a complaint online with CDPHE or call 1-800-886-7689 (anonymous OK)
• Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 303-862-3524
• Report suspected crimes to local law enforcement

Include the facility name, resident name, dates, injuries, witnesses, and photos if available.

Full reporting guide →

Families may be able to sue a Colorado nursing home when poor care caused injury or death.

Common claims include:

• Personal injury: The resident was harmed by neglect or abuse.
• Wrongful death: Poor care contributed to the resident’s death.

Colorado has strict legal deadlines, so families should speak with a nursing home abuse lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t wait — get started right now.

Free case review →

Nursing home settlements and trial verdicts in Colorado can vary depending on the situation. Some cases have resulted in payouts of more than $1 million.

See nursing home settlement amounts in Colorado →